Madam, - Your Editorial of November 3rd, "Controlling tobacco", says that "price is the most influential factor regarding the sale of cigarettes to young people". However, it suggests, prices cannot be increased significantly because of the "knock-on effect on inflation".
The obvious solution is to remove cigarettes from the retail price index altogether as advocated by tobacco control groups. This sensible proposal has been steadfastly resisted by trade unions in national pay talks for years. It is time they publicly explained their reasons for opposing a sensible measure proposed in the interests of public health. - Yours, etc,